First Year Housing Policy
On Campus Residence Requirement
In support of the educational mission of the university and the value of on campus residency to the academic success and social development of students, the university requires students to live on campus in university housing facilities for the first academic year. Compliance with the university housing policy is a condition of enrollment. All first-year students at UTRGV, who graduated from high school within the preceding 24 months of the semester of their admission, are required to live on campus.
Exemptions
Students who meet one or more of the following criteria are exempt from the first and second year housing requirement, subject to verification and authorization by the university.
- First year students residing in the following counties are encouraged to live on campus but not required:
- Cameron County, Texas
- Hidalgo County, Texas
- Starr County, Texas
- Willacy County, Texas
*Proof of parental or guardian primary residence is required.
- Married or has dependent children living with the student
- A student presents sufficient evidence of an extreme medical condition, as documented by her/his treating physician for which on-campus accommodations cannot be made.
- A student presents sufficient and satisfactory evidence of extreme or unusual financial hardship that will be intensified by living in the residence halls.
- At least 20 years of age or over on or before the first day of classes of the initial semester of enrollment.
- For first year student, completed over 30 semester credit hours (excluding Dual Enrollment and AP credit hours)
- A student enrolled in less than 12 credit hours in fall or spring semester
- Other (Note: Please provide a detailed explanation and appropriate supporting documentation that demonstrates your need to be exempted from the mandatory First Year Housing Policy)
All students requesting exemption must submit a Housing Policy Exemption Request form no later than July 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. Requests to be exempted from the First and Second Year Housing Policy must be supported through documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
All first-year students at UTRGV, who graduated from high school within the preceding 24 months of the semester of their admission.
Students who resided in counties (Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy) are automatically exempt and are not required to live on campus, but are still highly encouraged to live on campus.
If you did not reside in any of these Texas counties: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, then you are required to live on campus.
You will need to fill out and submit the Residency Affidavit (PDF) along with the Housing Policy Exemption Request Application (Online Web Form) . You must have resided in the residence with your parents at least 6 months before 1st class day. If you have a Texas ID or Drivers License, the license should also indicate the updated residence address located in the county.
The policy only allows for students to relocate with parents (legal gurdians) and does not allow for residency with extended family (brother, sister, grandparent)
Yes, there are several exemptions available to students who meet certain criteria, including living in certain counties, being married or having dependent children, having an extreme medical condition, experiencing extreme or unusual financial hardship, being over 20 years of age on or before the first day of classes, completing over 30 semester credit hours, and being enrolled in less than 12 credit hours in a semester.
If you believe you qualify for an exemption, you must submit a Housing Policy Exemption Request Application (Online Web Form) no later than July 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. The request must be supported through documentation, which varies depending on the reason for the exemption.
The required documentation varies depending on the reason for the exemption. For example, students seeking an exemption based on extreme or unusual financial hardship must provide documentation such as tax returns, bank statements, and proof of government assistance. Students seeking an exemption based on an extreme medical condition must provide documentation from their treating physician.
If your exemption request is denied, you are still required to comply with the university housing policy and live on campus in university housing facilities for the first academic year.
Yes, exempted students can still choose to live on campus if they wish to do so. However, compliance with the university housing policy is a condition of enrollment, and exemption requests are subject to verification and authorization by the university.
The deadline for canceling your housing contract without penalty (Early Termination Notice Fee) is July 1 for fall semester and December 1 for spring semester only contracts.
Yes, after the first academic year, students can choose to live off-campus if they wish to do so. However, compliance with the university housing policy is a condition of enrollment for the first academic year.
If a student fails to comply with the policy and does not live on campus in university housing facilities for the first academic year, the department at their discretion may pursue the following options.
- Place a hold on student records indicating non-compliance with policy.
- The student may be prevented from registering for classes in future semesters.
- The student may be subject to disciplinary action by the university.